Cunard Line is a British-American cruise line, renowned for its heritage, transatlantic crossings, and a classic, sophisticated ocean liner experience. As part of Carnival Corporation & PLC, Cunard occupies a unique position in the premium to luxury market, appealing to mature, seasoned travelers, couples, and discerning individuals who appreciate formality, tradition, and a sense of occasion. Cunard is particularly famous for its iconic Transatlantic Crossings and its distinctly British "White Star Service."
Fleet and Design:
Cunard's fleet consists of four "Queens," each embodying a timeless elegance with a classic maritime design and distinctive red and black funnels. They are built for comfort and stability, particularly the Queen Mary 2, designed as a true ocean liner.
The current fleet includes:
- Queen Mary 2: (2,691 guests) The world's only true ocean liner, designed for transatlantic voyages. She is a modern marvel with classic grandeur, featuring the largest library at sea and the only planetarium at sea (Illuminations). Her design emphasizes space and stability for ocean crossings.
- Queen Victoria: (2,061 guests) A more intimate "Queen" offering a blend of classic and modern elegance. She exudes a country house hotel feel and underwent significant enhancements in 2017.
- Queen Elizabeth: (2,081 guests) Launched in 2010, this ship evokes the Art Deco glamour of the 1930s and 40s. She features a strong focus on entertainment and elegant public spaces, including a Games Deck with croquet.
- Queen Anne: (3,000 guests) Launched in 2024, the newest "Queen" combines Cunard's heritage with a fresh, contemporary design direction. She introduces new dining venues and a modern take on classic Cunard style, with breathtaking interiors and an impressive art collection.
All cabins, from inside to lavish suites, are elegantly furnished and provide a comfortable retreat. Guests in Princess Grill and Queens Grill suites benefit from exclusive dining rooms and dedicated concierge services.
Destinations (2025-2026):
Cunard offers a diverse range of global itineraries, with a strong emphasis on their signature voyages and a growing portfolio of regional cruises.
- Transatlantic Crossings: The iconic 7-night voyages between Southampton (UK) and New York (USA) on Queen Mary 2 are a cornerstone of Cunard's offerings, providing a classic "journey as the destination" experience.
- World Cruises & Grand Voyages: Cunard is a leader in extended voyages, offering full World Cruises (often 100+ nights) and segments of these grand journeys, visiting multiple continents across Asia, Australasia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. For 2026, Queen Anne, Queen Mary 2, and Queen Victoria are all scheduled to offer World Voyages or Grand Voyages.
- Europe: Extensive programs throughout:
- Mediterranean: Including the Greek Isles, Italian & French Rivieras, Spain, Croatia, Turkey, and the Adriatic, with many "no-fly" options from Southampton.
- Northern Europe: Exploring the Norwegian Fjords, Baltic Sea (including Scandinavian capitals), British Isles, Iceland, and the Atlantic Coast (Iberia, Canary Islands).
- Caribbean: Seasonal voyages from the UK to the Caribbean, often including calls in the Eastern and Southern Caribbean.
- Alaska: Seasonal voyages to Alaska from Seattle, offering scenic cruising and port calls to key Alaskan towns.
- Canada & New England: Popular for autumn foliage, typically sailing from New York or Quebec.
- Asia: Including voyages to Japan (often themed around cherry blossom season), and other Southeast Asian destinations.
- Australia & New Zealand: Seasonal itineraries around Australasia.
Onboard Experience & Inclusions:
The Cunard experience is defined by its blend of traditional British elegance, refined service (known as White Star Service™), and a focus on enrichment and sophisticated entertainment.
Dress Code: Cunard maintains a distinct dress code that adds to the sense of occasion:
- Daytime: Casual.
- Evening (after 6 PM):
- Smart Attire: Most evenings. Gentlemen typically wear smart trousers with a collared shirt (jacket and tie are optional but encouraged). Ladies wear cocktail dresses, stylish separates (blouse/skirt/trousers), or elegant dresses. Jeans, shorts, and sportswear are not permitted in main public areas.
- Gala Evenings: Occur 2-3 times on a 7-night voyage. These are highly anticipated formal occasions. Gentlemen wear dinner jackets, tuxedos, or dark suits with a tie/bow tie. Ladies wear evening gowns, cocktail dresses, or smart trouser suits. National dress or military uniform is also appropriate.
Standard (Basic) Fare Inclusions:
- Accommodation: Your chosen stateroom or suite. All cabins are en-suite with air-conditioning, TV, refrigerator, hairdryer, and tea/coffee making facilities.
- Dining: Complimentary dining options with "tiered" dining based on stateroom category:
- Britannia Restaurant: Main dining for Britannia Inside, Oceanview, and Balcony stateroom guests (offering Early, Late, or Open Dining options).
- Britannia Club Restaurant: Exclusive, intimate dining for Britannia Club Balcony guests.
- Princess Grill Restaurant: For Princess Grill Suite guests, offering an intimate, single-seating venue.
- Queens Grill Restaurant: The epitome of Cunard dining, for Queens Grill Suite guests, with à la carte menus and the highest level of service.
- The Lido / Kings Court: Casual buffet restaurants for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.
- The Golden Lion Pub: Traditional British pub fare (some items may be chargeable).
- Afternoon Tea: A complimentary and highly anticipated daily tradition, served by white-gloved waiters in the Queens Room or other venues.
- 24-hour Room Service: Complimentary for most items, with a full menu available to Princess Grill and Queens Grill guests.
- Specialty Restaurants: Additional charge applies for venues like The Verandah (French cuisine), Steakhouse at The Verandah, or other specialty options.
- White Star Service™: Cunard's hallmark of refined, thoughtful, and anticipatory service from dedicated staff and crew. This includes attention to detail that goes above and beyond, aiming to anticipate needs before they are expressed.
- Entertainment: World-class entertainment in the Royal Court Theatre (West End-style productions), live music across multiple venues (from classical to jazz, big band, and contemporary), dancing in the Queens Room ballroom, a casino, and nightclubs.
- Enrichment & Activities:
- Cunard Insights™: Engaging guest lectures from renowned experts, authors, explorers, and personalities on a wide range of topics.
- Planetarium: Unique to Queen Mary 2, offering immersive shows.
- Library: Extensive and elegant libraries on all ships.
- Daily Program: Includes dance classes, deck games, quizzes, bridge lessons, and arts & crafts.
- Fitness Center & Pools: Well-equipped gym with complimentary group fitness classes, multiple swimming pools, and whirlpools.
- Youth & Teen Clubs: Supervised programs for children and teens, making Cunard family-friendly despite its sophisticated image.
- Basic Beverages: Filtered water, regular tea, coffee, and juice are available at self-service stations.
Additional Costs:
Guests typically pay extra for:
- Alcoholic Beverages: Available for purchase, or through various drinks packages.
- Specialty Coffees, Bottled Water, and Soft Drinks: From bars and cafes (though some may be included with certain fare types or packages).
- Spa Treatments: And access to thermal suites (e.g., Mareel Wellness & Beauty).
- Shore Excursions: Available for purchase in each port.
- Wi-Fi: Internet packages are available for purchase.
- Gratuities: Automatic daily service charges are applied to guest accounts (though often pre-paid for UK guests).
Cunard Line offers a distinctive and elegant cruising experience, perfect for those seeking a blend of classic maritime tradition, refined service, and enriching voyages across the globe.
Exported from Firebase on 2025-08-02T14:17:19.898Z
